6 months after Illinois ended cash bail, jail populations are down as courts settle into new patterns

gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 265 points –
6 months after Illinois ended cash bail, jail populations are down as courts settle into new patterns
chicagotribune.com
16

This is good. Less people in jail means less money spent there. That money can be spent elsewhere like in the community to prevent these outcomes in the first place. Unless the person is a danger to the community or a flight risk, they shouldn't really be a need to hold them. Shouldn't need to hold someone for say, being noisy(crappy ex), and they can't afford to pay, loose their job, etc etc.

More to the point, with cash bail, poor people are fucked and wealthy people walk out.

Remember, cops can arrest you and charge you with whatever they want, whether there’s evidence or not, whether there’s exculpatory evidence or not. Cop feels like you need to spend some time in jail? Arrest for disorderly and/or resisting.

Removing cash bail minimizes that, but does not eliminate it. You will still take a ride, and it’s elementary to handle someone harshly so that they react and get more serious charges.

This happened to me. Cop said I "pulled away from him" when all I did was turn my head to talk to him. He then used a wrist lock to inflict pain on me without saying why. I suspect he wanted me to "resist" him for real, but I told him to twist it harder so that it would break and he stopped. That charge was dropped of course, I suspect that he pulls this shit all the time.

"HAHAHA! You really think you're strong enough to break my wrist you pussy?"

Boop beep I got delete.

Jail is not prison. You’re held in jail after being charged, but prior to trial. You go to prison after conviction.

Yes, though in some locales there are "work crews" (slave labor) that clear brush, road litter, and such for businesses, organizations, the state, and individuals.

Less people in jail also means less people taking plea deals to get of of jail.

Jail is for pre-trial and post-trial with sentences of less than 12 months. Plea deals have nothing to do with either of those.

If your trial date is over a year out, a plea deal that get you out in 6 months looks a lot better.

You've never heard of a sentencing with the phrase "time served?" That's what they're usually referring to, you've already served X amount of time being held in jail, and that will count towards/cover whatever your sentencing is.

Yeah. No telling how many pleas just so they can get out sooner, but may not even be the guilty party or could have gotten a better deal. It is also easier to argue that you are doing something to better yourself, such as therapy or working for example, that may effect a sentence when you are not in jail.

Here's hoping they aren't spending their liberty dividend on more sniper rifles and tanks.